System and method of providing a platform for providing sweepstakes and sponsored puzzles for crossword puzzles and other word-based games

ABSTRACT

The disclosure relates to systems and methods for providing an integrated online platform for gameplay of word-based games, obtaining and using virtual assets related to the word-based games such as crossword puzzle games and word search puzzle games, providing sponsored word-based games, and facilitating sweepstakes entries based on the word-based games. The systems and methods may provide an integrated online platform that facilitates the convergence of word-based games, sponsored brands, sweepstakes, prizes, and obtaining and using virtual assets related to the word-based games across social networks, mobile networks, and/or other networks. The integrated online platform leverages the use of various puzzles such as puzzles from third party puzzle providers, custom puzzles, and/or other puzzles for gameplay of the word-based games. The sponsored word-based games may provide opportunities for the user to win items such as branded items and the sponsor to engage an audience.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/668,690 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,702,486), filed on Nov. 5, 2012,entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING AN ONLINE PLATFORM FORGAMEPLAY OF CROSSWORD PUZZLES AND OTHER WORD-BASED GAMES,” which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure relates to systems and methods for providing anintegrated online platform for gameplay of word-based games, obtainingand using virtual assets related to the word-based games, providingsponsored word-based games, and facilitating sweepstakes entries basedon the word-based games.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Casual games have become popular for various reasons. For example,casual games are typically inexpensive, can be played without detailedinstructions, and are generally easily accessible in that they may beplayed via social networks, mobile application stores that providemobile applications, and/or other platforms.

However, engaging the user (also referred to herein as player) of casualgames is difficult. Oftentimes casual games are not social and thecontent is not current. For example, it is difficult to engage playersof word-based games such as crossword puzzles, word search puzzles,and/or other word-based games.

These and other problems exist.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure relates to systems and methods for providing anintegrated online platform for gameplay of word-based games, obtainingand using virtual assets related to the word-based games such ascrossword puzzle games and word search puzzle games, providing sponsoredword-based games, and facilitating sweepstakes entries based on theword-based games. The systems and methods may provide an integratedonline platform that facilitates the convergence of word-based games,sponsored brands, sweepstakes, prizes, and obtaining and using virtualassets related to the word-based games across social networks, mobilenetworks, and/or other networks. The integrated online platformleverages the use of various puzzles such as puzzles from third partypuzzle providers, custom puzzles, and/or other puzzles for gameplay ofthe word-based games. The sponsored word-based games may provideopportunities for the user to win branded and/or other items and thesponsor to engage an audience.

In some implementations, the system may include a game server. The gameserver may include one or more processors configured to perform some orall of a functionality of a plurality of modules, which may be stored ina memory. For example, the one or more processors may be configured toexecute a gameplay module, a scoring and reward module, an online shopmodule, a custom puzzle module, an accounting module, an advertisementmodule, a profile module, a communication module, a user interfacemodule 119 and/or other modules.

The game server may provide for and facilitate the use of various typesof virtual assets. The virtual assets may be acquired in various wayssuch as earned based on gameplay, purchased using real currency,purchased using other virtual assets that act as virtual currency,and/or other ways to acquire the virtual assets.

In some embodiments, the gameplay module may be configured tocommunicate a word-based game based on a game definition that specifiesthe word-based game. In some embodiments, word-based games may beobtained from one or more third party providers. In these embodiments,content (such as a word-based game definition) for the word-based gamesmay be obtained from the third party provider.

The gameplay, module may be configured to facilitate gameplay bygenerating a gameplay session based on various modes of operation ofword-based games such as a single player word-based game mode, ahead-to-head word-based game mode, a team word-based game mode, atournament word-based game mode, and/or other modes of operation. Duringthe single player word-based game mode, a single player may play theword-based game alone. In some embodiments, the gameplay module may beconfigured to present a time limit for the entire game and/or for aportion of the game such as one or more words (e.g., the player mustenter one or more words in a crossword puzzle or find one or more wordsin a word search puzzle within a time limit). In these embodiments, thegame may be terminated and/or the player may be penalized one or morevirtual assets and/or actual currency. In some embodiments, the playermay be given an unlimited amount of time to finish the game and/or aturn.

In some embodiments, the gameplay module may be configured to providenew instances of word-based games based on a regular interval thatexpires such that a new instance replaces a previous instance. Forexample, the gameplay module may be configured to provide a dailycrossword puzzle that is made available at a particular time of the day(at which point a previous daily crossword puzzle may be replaced with acurrent daily crossword puzzle), a weekly crossword puzzle, a monthlycrossword puzzle, and/or other word-based game in which a new instanceof the word-based game replaces a previous instance of the word-basedgame at a regular interval. In some embodiments, an instance of aword-based game may be archived in a memory such as game database suchthat archived word-based games may be played at a later time.

In some embodiments, the gameplay module may be configured to provideword-based games based on a category. For example, the gameplay modulemay provide a celebrity crossword puzzle that includes words that arerelevant to a celebrity, a news-based crossword puzzle based on currentevents in the news, and/or other category or theme word-based game.

In some embodiments, the gameplay module may be configured to providecategory or theme word-based games at regular intervals. For example,the gameplay module may provide a daily celebrity crossword puzzle, aweekly celebrity crossword puzzle, and/or other category or themeword-based game in which a new instance of the word-based game replacesa previous instance of the word-based game at a regular interval.

In some embodiments, the gameplay module may be configured to provideone of more hints used to at least partially solve and/or provide cluesto solve a word-based game. The hints may be provided during gameplay inone or more of the word-based game modes of operation. Different typesof hints may be provided such as an ask-a-friend hint, anadvertisement-based hint, a reveal correct hint, a reveal incorrecthint, and/or other type of hints.

In some embodiments, the scoring and reward module may be configured toscore a game and provide the virtual assets based on gameplay. In someembodiments, the scoring and reward module may be configured to providebonus awards based on gameplay. The bonus awards may include a number ofvirtual assets and/or types of in-game game bonus awards. The scoringand reward module may be configured to provide a daily bonus thatincludes one or more virtual assets. For example, a daily bonus mayinclude a predefined number of daily energy and/or other types ofvirtual assets that are provided to the user for gameplay.

In some embodiments, the online shop module may be configured to providean online shop that sells various items such as ad-free play, virtualassets, sweepstakes entries, and/or other items. The items may bepurchased using virtual assets and/or actual currency. When purchasesare made using virtual assets such as diamonds, the online shop modulemay cause the cost to be deducted from a player's account or profilethat stores the number of virtual assets that the player has accrued.When purchases are made using real currency, online shop module maycause the cost to be deducted from stored account that includes apredefined credit of actual currency paid to the system for suchpurchases, cause a payment to be processed using various electronicpayment methods, and/or use other payment methods.

In some embodiments, the custom puzzle module may be configured tofacilitate custom word-based games such as custom crossword orword-search puzzles. The custom word-based games may be related to asponsored word-based game, a sweepstakes word-based game, and/or othercustom word-based games.

The sponsored word-based game may include brand integration such thatinformation related to one or more products and/or services offered by asponsor is displayed along with the sponsored word-based game. Thesponsored word-based game may be played in one or more of the word-basedgame modes of operation described herein.

Brand integration may include placing marketing content such as text,images, and/or other marketing content relating to the products orservices alongside the sponsored word-based game. In this example,custom puzzle module may store and obtain an association between thesponsored word-based game and the marketing content such that themarketing content may be displayed when presenting the sponsoredword-based game for gameplay.

The sweepstakes word-based game may include a custom word-based gamewhere the input of correct letters, words, and/or a completed gameresults in an award of one or more sweepstakes entries. Upon entry of acorrect letter, word, and/or complete puzzle, custom puzzle module maycause one or more sweepstakes entries to be given to the player.

In some embodiments, brand integration and sweepstakes may be combined.For example, a custom word-based game may include branded contentinformation alongside or integrated into a crossword puzzle wherecompletion of at least a portion of the custom word-based game causes anentry into a sweepstakes that includes as a prize a product and/orservice of a sponsor.

In some embodiments, the accounting module may be configured to monitorreal and virtual currency transactions and events related to theword-based games in order to perform various accounting functions suchas debit player accounts, charge sponsors for advertisement impressions,charge sponsors for sponsored content being showed/played, and/or otherperform other accounting functions. The transactions may include virtualasset purchases, sweepstakes entry purchases, and/or other exchangesassociated with the word-based game. The events may include activityrelated to advertisements, sponsored content, and/or other items inwhich a sponsor may pay to provide content via the system.

In some embodiments, the advertisement module may be configured toreceive, cause to be stored, and retrieve advertisements. Advertisementsmay be in the form of video, audio, text, graphics, and/or other format.

In some embodiments, the profile module may be configured to register auser and maintain a user profile, which may be stored in a user profiledatabase. The profile module may register the user based on informationreceived from a social media provider and/or information from the user.The system may integrate with social media providers such thatinformation associated with the user may be obtained via the socialmedia site.

In some embodiments, the communication module may be configured tofacilitate communications between the user and others. For example, thecommunication module may facilitate in-game communication with otherusers, invitations related to other users, integrate with social media,and/or perform other communication functions.

In some embodiments, the user interface module may be configured toprovide one or more user interfaces for presenting the word-based games.The user interfaces may output information from the one or more modulesdisclosed herein and provide input during gameplay to the one or moremodules.

These and other objects, features, and characteristics of the systemand/or method disclosed herein, as well as the methods of operation andfunctions of the related elements of structure and the combination ofparts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent uponconsideration of the following description and the appended claims withreference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of thisspecification, wherein like reference numerals designate correspondingparts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however,that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and descriptiononly and are not intended as a definition of the limits of theinvention. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singularform of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a system of providing an online platform for gameplayof crossword puzzle games and other word-based games, according to anaspect of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a process of providing gameplay of crossword gamesand other word-based games, according to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a process of providing gameplay of crossword gamesand other word-based games, according to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a process of providing a branded sweepstakescrossword game and other word-based games, according to an aspect of theinvention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a process of providing gameplay of crossword gamesand other word-based games, according to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a screenshot of a bonus screen interface, accordingto an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a screenshot of a sweepstakes splash interface,according to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a screenshot of an online shop interface, accordingto an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a screenshot of a crossword puzzle gameplayinterface, according to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a screenshot of a head-to-head crossword puzzlegameplay interface, according to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a screenshot of a words search puzzle gameplayinterface, according to an aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 of providing an online platform forgameplay of word-based games, according to an aspect of the invention.System 100 may include a game server 110, one or more gameplay devices140 (illustrated in FIG. 1 as gameplay device 140A, 140B, and 140N),and/or other components. The word-based games may include crosswordpuzzle games, word search games, and/or other types of word-based games.Generally speaking, the word-based games may be communicated from gameserver 110 to gameplay devices 140 via a network 102 such as theInternet and played in an online fashion.

In some embodiments, the word-based game may be communicated from gameserver 110 to gameplay devices 140 as one or more instructions that areexecuted at gameplay devices 140 to allow the word-based game to beplayed. The word-based games may be played within or in association withvarious social media networking such as FACEBOOK and/or be played as astandalone application such as a mobile or other application.

In some implementations, game server 110 may include one or moreprocessors 122 configured to perform some or all of a functionality of aplurality of modules, which may be stored in a memory 124. For example,the one or more processors may be configured to execute a gameplaymodule 111, a scoring and reward module 112, an online shop module 113,a custom puzzle module 114, an accounting module 115, an advertisementmodule 116, a profile module 117, a communication module 118, a userinterface module 119 and/or other modules 120.

Game server 110 may provide for and facilitate the use of various typesof virtual assets. The virtual assets may be acquired in various wayssuch as earned based on gameplay, purchased using real currency,purchased using other virtual assets that act as virtual currency,and/or other ways to acquire the virtual assets.

In some embodiments, particular types of virtual assets must bepurchased (with real and/or virtual currency), while others must beearned based on gameplay, while still others may be earned and/orpurchased (with real and/or virtual currency). In some embodiments,particular types of virtual assets may be used to purchase only certainother virtual assets, certain real items, and/or other items.

The virtual assets may be used by the user to acquire various benefitsrelated to the game such as, for example, play a game, hints to solvethe game, ad-free play, other virtual assets, real items, realsweepstakes entries, and/or other benefits.

Virtual assets may include energy, diamonds, tokens, and/or othervirtual assets. In some embodiments, energy may be used to playword-based games. For example, the cost to play a crossword puzzle mayinclude one or more units of energy. Different types of energy may beaccrued such as, for example, a daily energy, an extra energy, and/orother types of energy. In some embodiments, certain types of energy mustbe used before other types of energy may be used. For example, units ofdaily energy must be used until exhausted (e.g., zero units of dailyenergy remaining) or fall below a threshold amount before extra energymay be used.

Diamonds may be used to purchase ad-free games, extra energy, boosts (orhints to solve a letter, word, and/or entire puzzle), one or moresweepstakes entries to sweepstakes, and/or other items. For example, anumber of diamonds may be exchanged for a sweepstakes entry. In someembodiments, diamonds may be earned by based on gameplay such as bysolving letters, words, and/or whole puzzles. In some embodiments,diamonds may not be purchased using real currency.

Tokens may be used to receive one or more hints for a solution to theword-based game, save a game, print a game, and/or receive othergame-related benefits. A predefined number of tokens may be used toreceive a hint. The hint may include revealing one or more correctletters and/or words. The hint may cause random or player-selectedletters and/or words of the game to be revealed. Randomly selectedletters may be part of a single word and/or multiple words. Aplayer-selected reveal may cost more tokens than a randomly selectedreveal. In some embodiments, the hint may include revealing one or moreincorrect letters and/or words. A different number of tokens may becharged for revealing incorrect letters and/or words than for revealingcorrect letters and/or words.

A predefined number of tokens may be used to save a game. For example, aplayer may save a game to resume playing at a later time by exchanging anumber of tokens for the ability to save a particular crossword puzzleor other word-based game being played. A predefined number of tokens maybe used to print a game. For example, a player may print a game toobtain a hard copy of a crossword puzzle by exchanging a number oftokens for the ability to print the crossword puzzle or other word-basedgame being played.

In some embodiments, tokens must be purchased with real currency and maynot be earned. In some embodiments, a starting number of tokens may beinitially provided to a user after which tokens must be purchased withreal currency and may not be earned.

In some embodiments, gameplay module 111 may be configured to present aword-based game based on a game definition that specifies the word-basedgame. The game definition may be formatted as extensible markup language(“XML”), JavaScript Object Notation (“JSON”), spreadsheet format, and/orother format that can specify the word-based game. Whichever format isused, the game definition may include words of the word-based game, alevel of difficulty of the word-based game, and/or other information.For example, for each of the answers of a crossword puzzle, the gamedefinition may specify a word, an orientation of the word (e.g., acrossor down), a location of the word on the puzzle, a number related to theword, a clue for the word, and/or other information associated with theword. For each word to be found in a word search puzzle, the gamedefinition may specify the word, an orientation of the word (e.g.,across, down, angled, backward, forward, etc.), a location of the wordon the puzzle, and/or information associated with the word. In someembodiments, the game definition may include filler letters that fillremaining spaces of the word search puzzle or the filler letters may berandomly generated when the game is instantiated or otherwise rendered.

In some embodiments, word-based games may be obtained from one or morethird party providers 150. In these embodiments, content (such as aword-based game definition) for the word-based games may be obtainedfrom the third party provider.

In some embodiments, the game definition may be hardcoded as part ofgameplay module 111. In some embodiments, the game definition may bestored in a memory such as word-based game database 134. The gamedefinition may be associated with an identifier that identifies the gamedefinition. The identifier may include or be associated with a name of aword-based game, a topic or type of the word-based game (e.g., a dailygame, a celebrity daily game, etc.). Gameplay module 111 may beconfigured to obtain a game definition and render the word-based gamebased on the game definition. In some embodiments, new word-based gamesmay be added by adding a new game definition to word-based game database134 or other memory.

Gameplay module 111 may be configured to facilitate gameplay bygenerating a gameplay session based on various modes of operation ofword-based games such as a single player word-based game mode, ahead-to-head word-based game mode, a team word-based game mode, atournament word-based game mode, and/or other modes of operation. Duringthe single player word-based game mode, a single player may play theword-based game alone. In some embodiments, gameplay module 111 may beconfigured to present a time limit for the entire game and/or for aportion of the game such as one or more words (e.g., the player mustenter one or more words in a crossword puzzle or find one or more wordsin a word search puzzle within a time limit). In these embodiments, thegame may be terminated and/or the player may be penalized one or morevirtual, assets and/or actual currency. In some embodiments, the playermay be given an unlimited amount of time to finish the game and/or aturn.

In some embodiments, gameplay module 111 may be configured to facilitatea head-to-head word-based game mode in which a first player may playagainst a second player. Gameplay module 111 may be configured to allowthe first player to invite the second player to play a head-to-head gameand/or be invited to play against the second player. Gameplay module 111may determine a winner based on who finishes the game first (e.g.,correctly inputs all words of a crossword puzzle, correctly identifiesall words of a word search puzzle, etc.), acquires the most points asdiscussed further herein, and/or other metric to determine a winner.

In some embodiments, gameplay module 111 may be configured to facilitatea team word-based game mode in which more than one player may team up tocollectively play together. In some embodiments, the team play may besimilar to the single player word-based game mode in that the team maybe playing to simply finish the word-based game. In some embodiments,the team play may be similar to the head-to-head word-based game mode inthat the team may play against another player and/or team of players. Insome embodiments, the gameplay module 111 may be configured tofacilitate head-to-head and/or team word-based game modes using groupplay in which three or more sets of individual players and/or teams mayplay against one another.

In some embodiments, gameplay module 111 may be configured to facilitatea tournament word-based game mode in which a tournament may be held.Gameplay module 111 may be configured to implement the tournament invarious ways. For example, gameplay module 111 may generatebracket-style tournament in which a single player and/or team faces offagainst another player and/or team. In some embodiments, gameplay module111 may generate a playoff-style tournament in which a predefined topnumber of individual players and/or team of players advance throughsuccessive rounds until a tournament winner is determined.

In embodiments where a first player and/or team plays against a secondplayer and/or team, gameplay module 111 may be configured to facilitategameplay in a race mode, a turn-based asynchronous mode, and/or othermode. In the race mode, competing players and/or teams may race tocomplete the word-based puzzle game before other competing playersand/or teams. In the turn-based asynchronous mode, competing playersand/or teams may be given turns to complete one or more words duringtheir respective turns. Each turn may be limited by time (e.g., be givena predefined and configurable time limit in which to complete the turn)and/or limited by number of letters/words attempted.

In some embodiments, gameplay module 111 may be configured to providenew instances of word-based games based on a regular interval thatexpires such that a new instance replaces a previous instance. Forexample, gameplay module 111 may be configured to provide a dailycrossword puzzle that is made available at a particular time of the day(at which point a previous daily crossword puzzle may be replaced with acurrent daily crossword puzzle), a weekly crossword puzzle, a monthlycrossword puzzle, and/or other word-based game in which a new instanceof the word-based game replaces a previous instance of the word-basedgame at a regular interval. In some embodiments, an instance of aword-based game may be archived in a memory such as game database 134such that archived word-based games may be played at a later time.

In some embodiments, gameplay module 111 may be configured to provideword-based games based on a category. For example, gameplay module 111may provide a celebrity crossword puzzle that includes words that arerelevant to a celebrity, a news-based crossword puzzle based on currentevents in the news, and/or other category or theme word-based game.

In some embodiments, gameplay module 111 may be configured to providecategory or theme word-based games at regular intervals. For example,gameplay module 111 may provide a daily celebrity crossword puzzle, aweekly celebrity crossword puzzle, and/or other category or themeword-based game in which a new instance of the word-based game replacesa previous instance of the word-based game at a regular interval.

The word-based games that are newly provided at regular intervals(whether category-based or not) may be provided in one or more of thevarious gameplay modes such as the single player word-based game mode, ahead-to-head word-based game mode, a team word-based game mode, atournament word-based game mode, and/or other modes of operation.

In some embodiments, gameplay module 111 may be configured to maintain ascore such as a number of points for the game. The gameplay module mayuse the score to determine a winner in a head-to-head game in which oneor more first players are competing against one or more second players,a tournament game, and/or other game in which one or more playerscompete against one or more other players. For example, a winner may bedetermined based on which player(s) have the highest score at the end ofa time limit, when all of the words have been entered/found, and/or atother times.

Gameplay module 111 may use the score to determine player skill levels,and/or other player tracking for games in which one or more players arenot competing against other players. In some embodiments, a number ofpoints may be assigned for a correct letter and/or word (e.g., such aswhen a correct letter and/or word is entered into a crossword puzzle orfound in a word search game).

In some embodiments, gameplay module 111 may be configured to provideone of more hints used to at least partially solve and/or provide cluesto solve a word-based game. The hints may be provided during gameplay inone or more of the word-based game modes of operation. Different typesof hints may be provided such as an ask-a-friend hint, anadvertisement-based hint, a reveal correct hint, a reveal incorrecthint, and/or other type of hints.

The ask-a-friend hint may include allowing the player to ask one or morefriends such as social media contacts, users, and/or others to helpinsert or reveal one or more letters/words. In some embodiments, theask-a-friend hint may be implemented as a chat or other communicationdirected to the friend via the communication module. In theseimplementations, at least a portion of the word-based game (such as aclue, image of the puzzle game, etc.) may be communicated to the friend.

In some embodiments, the friend may use the system to interactively viewthe particular instance of the word-based game being played. Forexample, gameplay module may send an invitation to the friend to helpthe player, which may include a link or other reference to the currentinstance of the word-based game being played. The friend may use thelink or other reference to view the current instance of the word-basedgame being played and provide their input via chat, email, etc., and/ordirectly via the word-based game as if the friend were playing. Theplayer may accept or reject at least a portion of the friend's input.

The advertisement-based hint may reveal a number of letters/words in theword-based game in exchange for the player watching an advertisement. Insome embodiments different levels of hint quality such as number ofrevealed letters/words may be based on the type of advertisement viewed.For example, advertisements that are longer in duration or higher-valued(e.g., when the sponsor pays a premium) may result in higher qualityhints.

The reveal correct hint may reveal a number of correct letters/words inexchange for a number of tokens. In some embodiments, the reveal correcthint may include a fixed cost such as 25 tokens for the hint. In someembodiments different levels of hint quality such as number of revealedletters/words may be based on the number of tokens received from theplayer to obtain the hint. For example, a greater number of receivedtokens may result in higher quality hints.

The reveal incorrect hint may reveal a number of letters/words that wereincorrectly entered in exchange for a number of tokens. In someembodiments, the reveal incorrect hint may include a fixed cost such as100 tokens for the hint. In some embodiments different levels of hintquality such as number of revealed incorrect letters/words may be basedon the number of tokens received from the player to obtain the hint. Forexample, a greater number of received tokens may result in higherquality hints.

In some embodiments, gameplay module 111 may individually limit thenumber of times that the hints may be used. For example, gameplay module111 may individually limit the number of times that the ask-a-friendhint, the advertisement-based hint, the reveal correct hint, the revealincorrect hint, and/or other hint may be used, where each type of hintmay have its own limit different from or the same as the limit foranother type of hint. In some embodiments, gameplay module 111 maycollectively limit the number of times that any of the hints may beused. For example, gameplay module 111 may limit the number of timesthat any one the ask-a-friend hint, the advertisement-based hint, thereveal correct hint, the reveal incorrect hint, and/or other hint may beused, where the use of any type of hint reduces a number of times thatanother type of hint may be used.

In some embodiments, gameplay module 111 may be configured to assign aplayer skill level for a player based on gameplay of the word-basedgame. Player skill levels may be represented in various ways such asnumerically. For example, a particular numeric level may indicate agreater level of skill and/or experience than another numeric level.Other representations and interpretations of player skill level may beused as well.

Gameplay module 111 may advance the player skill level associated basedon gameplay, In some embodiments, gameplay module 111 may be configuredto advance the player skill level during one or more of the gameplaymodes such as the single player word-based game mode, the head-to-headword-based game mode, the team play word-based game mode, the tournamentword-based game mode, and/or other modes. In some embodiments, gameplaymodule 111 may be configured to advance the player skill level based ononly particular types of gameplay modes.

For example, gameplay module 111 may be configured to track a number ofwins in head-to-head competition by the player and use the number orwins to determine whether the player should be associated with a moreadvanced player skill level. In some embodiments, a player may berequired to win a predefined and configurable number of head-to-headgames before the player skill level is advanced. In a particularnon-limiting example, a player may be required to win five head-to-headgames before the player skill level is advanced.

In some embodiments, gameplay module 111 may be configured to advancethe player to a first player skill level based on a first requirementthat is different from a second requirement used to advance the playerto a second player skill level. For example, as a player's skill leveladvances, it may be increasingly difficult to achieve a higher level.For relatively lower player skill levels, gameplay module 111 mayadvance a player to the next player skill level based on number of winswithout respect to a number of losses.

On the other hand, for relatively higher player skill levels, gameplaymodule 111 may advance a player to the next player skill level whiletaking into account the number of losses. For example, each time that aplayer that is associated with a relatively high player skill levelloses a head-to-head game, the number of wins is decremented. In someembodiments, when a player advances to a relatively higher player skilllevel, gameplay module 111 may track a number of wins of the player forthe higher skill level such that losses that result in a number of winsbelow a threshold number of wins (e.g., zero) for the higher skill levelcauses the player level to be decremented to a lower skill level.

In some embodiments, gameplay module 111 may be configured to advancethe player to different levels based on a difficulty rating ofgames/puzzles completed. For example, a first crossword puzzle may beless difficult to complete/solve than a second crossword puzzle. Assuch, the first crossword puzzle may be associated with a firstdifficulty rating that is different from a second difficulty ratingassociated with the second crossword puzzle.

In some embodiments, scoring and reward module 112 may be configured toprovide the virtual assets. Scoring and reward module 112 may provide apredefined number of units of daily energy each day to a player in a useor lose manner. For example, the player may be awarded a number of unitsof daily energy such that the player must use the provided daily energywithin a 24-hour period after the daily energy is provided or lose thefree daily energy (which may reset the following 24-hour period). Inother words, a player may not save daily energy for later use. The dailyenergy may be provided for free (no real or virtual currency required).

In some embodiments, when the daily energy has been exhausted orotherwise is no longer sufficient to pay the energy required to play aword-based game, extra energy may be used. Scoring and reward module 112may provide for free a predefined number of units extra energy. Extraenergy may be purchased using real currency via the online shopdiscussed herein in relation to online shop module 113. Extra energy maybe persistent in that the player may save unused units of extra energy(whether acquired for free or purchased) from one day to the next.

In some embodiments, scoring and reward module 112 may be configured toprovide diamonds based on gameplay such as by solving letters, words,and/or whole puzzles. In some embodiments, diamonds may not be purchasedusing real currency.

In some embodiments, scoring and reward module 112 may be configured toprovide a starting number of tokens after which additional tokens mustbe purchased with real currency and may not be earned.

In some embodiments, scoring and reward module 112 may be configured toprovide bonus awards based on gameplay. The bonus awards may include anumber of virtual assets and/or types of in-game game bonus awards. Forexample, a bonus award may include a number of units of energy, a numberof diamonds, and/or other virtual assets. Different types of bonusawards may be award such as, for example, a daily bonus award, aretention bonus, performance-based bonus awards, and/or other types ofbonus awards. In some embodiments, the number of virtual assets that areawarded by bonus awards may be capped by a maximum number. For example,a player may not receive more than 25 diamonds in one or more bonusawards in a day, a week, or other time period.

Scoring and reward module 112 may be configured to provide a daily bonusthat includes one or more virtual assets. For example, a daily bonus mayinclude a predefined number of daily energy and/or other types ofvirtual assets that are provided to the user for gameplay.

The daily bonus may include a retention bonus such that progressivelyincreasing numbers and/or types of bonuses are awarded based onconsecutive daily visits by the player. Scoring and reward module 112may obtain a number of consecutive days in which the player has loggedon to the system or otherwise played an online word-based game providedby the system in order to determine the retention bonus. For example,based on the number of consecutive days, scoring and reward module 112may award a predefined number of units of energy and/or a predefinednumber of diamonds.

In a particular non-limiting example, scoring and reward module 112 mayaward a first number (e.g., two) of units of energy for a firstconsecutive visit, a second number (e.g., three) of units of energy fora second consecutive visit (e.g., a visit in which the player has loggedon or played a word-based game for a second straight day), a thirdnumber (e.g., four) of units of energy and a number of diamonds (e.g.,one) for a third consecutive visit, a fourth number (e.g., five) ofunits of energy and another number of diamonds (e.g., five) for a fourthconsecutive visit, and so on. Other numbers and combinations of virtualassets may be used in the retention bonus as well.

In some embodiments, scoring and reward module 112 may be configured toprovide performance-based bonus awards that include one or more virtualassets (and/or one or more types of virtual assets) based on performancerelated to gameplay. For example, performance-based bonus awards mayinclude a number of puzzles played bonus, a time bonus, a perfect bonus,a streak bonus, and/or other performance-based bonus.

The number of puzzles played bonus may include a bonus award based on anumber of puzzles that are played in a day (e.g., a 24-hour period)and/or other time period. Scoring and reward module 112 mayprogressively increase the number and/or type of virtual assets awardedas the number of word-based games that are played in the day or othertime period increases.

The time bonus may include a bonus award based on an amount of time usedby the player to complete a word-based game. Scoring and reward module112 may progressively increase the number and/or type of virtual assetsawarded as the amount of time used by the player decreases.

The perfect bonus may include a bonus award based on a perfectword-based game played (e.g., no errant letter and/or word input). Theperfect streak bonus may include a bonus award based on a number ofconsecutive perfect games played. Scoring and reward module 112 mayprogressively increase the number and/or type of virtual assets awardedas the number of consecutive perfect games played increases.

In some embodiments, the bonus award may be collected only after anadvertisement is displayed at the completion of the word-based gameduring ad-supported gameplay.

In some embodiments, online shop module 113 may be configured to providean online shop that sells various items such as ad-free play, virtualassets, sweepstakes entries, and/or other items. The items may bepurchased using virtual assets and/or actual currency. When purchasesare made using virtual assets such as diamonds, online shop module 113may cause the cost to be deducted from a player's account or profilethat stores the number of virtual assets that the player has accrued.When purchases are made using real currency, online shop module 113 maycause the cost to be deducted from stored account that includes apredefined credit of actual currency paid to the system for suchpurchases, cause a payment to be processed using various electronicpayment methods, and/or use other payment methods.

Online shop module 113 may be configured to sell energy and tokens inexchange for real currency. For example, the online shop module may sellextra energy and/or tokens for an amount of real currency.

Online shop module 113 may be configured to exchange diamonds forsweepstakes entries. For example, online shop module 113 may deduct anumber of diamonds from a player's account in exchange for one or moreentries in a sweepstakes for one or more real and/or virtual prizes. Forexample, a player profile/identifier may be associated with one or moresweepstakes entry identifiers that are entered into a sweepstakesdrawing.

Online shop module 113 may be configured to sell ad-free play thatallows for gameplay without advertisements being displayed duringgameplay. Ad-free play may be sold in exchange for virtual assets and/oractual currency. In some embodiments, ad-free play may expire after apredefined increment of time. In these embodiments, ad-free play may besold in different increments of time such as, for example, 30 days, 90days, one year, and/or other time period. The cost to purchase thedifferent increments of time may increase as the increment increasesand/or require different forms of payment. For example, a 30 dayincrement of time of ad-free play may cost a number of diamonds, a 90day increment of time of ad-free play may cost an amount of realcurrency, while a one year increment of time may cost another (higher)amount of real currency. In some embodiments, certain increments of timemay cost a combination of diamonds and real currency.

In some embodiments, custom puzzle module 114 may be configured tofacilitate custom word-based games such as custom crossword orword-search puzzles. The custom word-based games may be related to asponsored word-based game, a sweepstakes word-based game, and/or othercustom word-based games.

The sponsored word-based game may include brand integration such thatinformation related to one or more products and/or services offered by asponsor is displayed along with the sponsored word-based game. Thesponsored word-based game may be played in one or more of the word-basedgame modes of operation described herein.

Brand integration may include placing marketing content such as text,images, and/or other marketing content relating to the products orservices alongside the sponsored word-based game. In this example,custom puzzle module 114 may store and obtain an association between thesponsored word-based game and the marketing content such that themarketing content may be displayed when presenting the sponsoredword-based game for gameplay.

Brand integration may include including text such as words related tothe products and/or services into the sponsored word-based game itself.For example, a name of a product and/or service may be included as acrossword puzzle answer, for which a hint related to the product and/orservice may be given. The name of the product and/or service may beincluded as a word to be found in a sponsored word search game.

The sweepstakes word-based game may include a custom word-based gamewhere the input of correct letters, words, and/or a completed gameresults in an award of one or more sweepstakes entries. Upon entry of acorrect letter, word, and/or complete puzzle, custom puzzle module 114may cause one or more sweepstakes entries to be given to the player.

In some embodiments, brand integration and sweepstakes may be combined.For example, a custom word-based game may include branded contentinformation alongside or integrated into a crossword puzzle wherecompletion of at least a portion of the custom word-based game causes anentry into a sweepstakes that includes as a prize a product and/orservice of a sponsor.

In some embodiments, accounting module 115 may be configured to monitorreal and virtual currency transactions and events related to theword-based games in order to perform various accounting functions suchas debit player accounts, charge sponsors for advertisement impressions,charge sponsors for sponsored content being showed/played, and/or otherperform other accounting functions. The transactions may include virtualasset purchases, sweepstakes entry purchases, and/or other exchangesassociated with the word-based game. The events may include activityrelated to advertisements, sponsored content, and/or other items inwhich a sponsor may pay to provide content via the system.

In some embodiments, accounting module 115 may be configured to presenttiered pricing where different advertisement and/or sponsorshipreceivables vary based on a number of advertisement impressions,advertisement clicks, number of sponsored games being played, number ofsponsored games being completed, etc.

In some embodiments, advertisement module 116 may be configured toreceive, cause to be stored, and retrieve advertisements. Advertisementsmay be in the form of video, audio, text, graphics, and/or other format.Advertisement module 116 may receive advertisements from advertiserswishing to promote their goods and/or services via the system.Advertisement module 116 may store the received advertisements in amemory such as advertisement database 136. Advertisement module 116 mayselect advertisements to be displayed at appropriate times based on around-robin, random, and/or other selection method.

In some embodiments, profile module 117 may be configured to register auser and maintain a user profile, which may be stored in a user profiledatabase 132. Profile module 117 may register the user based oninformation received from a social media provider and/or informationfrom the user. The system may integrate with social media providers suchthat information associated with the user may be obtained via the socialmedia site. For example, a user may register with the system via thesocial media site, which causes information to be provided to profilemodule 117.

The user profile may include user preferences, gameplay information,contacts, social media information, and/or other information related tothe user. User preferences may include, for example, various formattingpreferences such as, for example, font size, game canvas size, and/orother preferences of the user. Gameplay information may include, forexample, whether the user has purchased ad-free games, the number andtypes of virtual assets purchased or earned by the user, achievements,saved games, games played, and/or other gameplay information.Achievements may include high scores, fastest times, streaks, playerskill level, and/or other information. Contacts may include other usersof the system and/or social media contacts. Contacts may identify whomay be used to play with, play against, receive hints from, communicatewith, and/or otherwise interact with. Social media information mayinclude links to or information from one or more social media sites.

In some embodiments, communication module 118 may be configured tofacilitate communications between the user and others. For example,communication module 118 may facilitate in-game communication with otherusers, invitations related to other users, integrate with social media,and/or perform other communication functions. In-game communication withother users may include in-game chat, email, SMS text, and/or othercommunications with users during gameplay. Invitations related to otherusers may include receiving and/or sending invitations to play withother users, play against other users, be a contact, and/or otherinvitations. Integration with social media may include sendingcommunications such as invitations, high scores, best times, and/orother information to social media sites for posting on or otherwisecommunicating via the social media sites.

In some embodiments, user interface module 119 may be configured toprovide one or more user interfaces for presenting the word-based games.The user interfaces may output information from the one or more modulesdisclosed herein and provide input during gameplay to the one or moremodules.

One or more of the foregoing modules may be communicated as gameplayinstructions from game server 110 to gameplay devices 140 and/or beexecuted at game server 110 during gameplay. For example, the gameplayinstructions may be configured as FLASH instructions, SILVERLIGHTinstructions, HTML5 instructions, and/or other instructions that whenexecuted at the gameplay device configures the gameplay device toperform the functions of the gameplay instructions. In some embodiments,the gameplay instructions may be communicated to gameplay devices 140via a social media provider such as FACEBOOK when the word-based game isembedded within or included with a webpage communicated by the socialmedia provider.

In some embodiments, gameplay may be online such as when game server 110hosts the online game. In some embodiments, gameplay device 140 mayrender the word-based game as a standalone application.

In some embodiments, the gameplay instructions may be stored on one ormore tangible computer readable storage media such as, for example, readonly memory, random access memory, magnetic disk storage media, opticalstorage media, flash memory devices, and/or other storage media atserver device 110. A machine-readable transmission media may includeforms of propagated signals, such as carrier waves, infrared signals,digital signals, and others.

In some embodiments, gameplay information such as purchases, gamestatus, game input, and/or other information may be communicated to gameserver 110, which may use the gameplay information for processing asdescribed herein. In some embodiments, the gameplay information may beat least partially processed at gameplay device 140 and/or the socialmedia provider based on the gameplay instructions.

Embodiments where more than one player is playing a single game (e.g.,head-to-head, team, tournament, etc), more than one player may be usingthe same gameplay device 140 or different gameplay devices 140.

One or more applications, including various modules, may be loaded intomemory and run on an operating system of game server 110 and/or gameplaydevice 140. In one implementation, game server 110 and gameplay device140 may each comprise a server device, a desktop computer, a laptop, acell phone, a smart phone, a Personal Digital Assistant, a pocket PC, orother device.

Network 102 may include any one or more of, for instance, the Internet,an intranet, a PAN (Personal Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network),a WAN (Wide Area Network), a SAN (Storage Area Network), a MAN(Metropolitan Area Network), a wireless network, a cellularcommunications network, a Public Switched Telephone Network, and/orother network.

FIG. 2 illustrates a process of providing gameplay of crossword gamesand other word-based games, according to an aspect of the invention. Thevarious processing operations and/or data flows depicted in FIG. 2 (andin the other drawing figures) are described in greater detail herein.The described operations may be accomplished using some or all of thesystem components described in detail above and, in someimplementations, various operations may be performed in differentsequences and various operations may be omitted. Additional operationsmay be performed along with some or all of the operations shown in thedepicted flow diagrams. One or more operations may be performedsimultaneously. Accordingly, the operations as illustrated (anddescribed in greater detail below) are exemplary by nature and, as such,should not be viewed as limiting.

In an operation 201, processing may listen for a letter input. In anoperation 202, a letter input may be received in relation to a space ona crossword puzzle. For example, a player may input a letter into anonline crossword puzzle space. In an operation 204, a determination ofwhether the space for which the letter input was received is part of acorrectly entered word may be made. If the space is part of a correctlyentered word, processing may return to an operation 201, where a letterinput is awaited. For example, if the player attempts to add a letter toan already correctly solved word, the letter input may be ignored. Onthe other hand, if the space is not part of a correctly entered word, inan operation 206, a determination of whether the letter is correct maybe made. For example, a solution to the puzzle having an association ofcorrect letters and spaces may be consulted to determine whether theletter input at the space matches the correct letter for the space.

If the letter is not correct, in an operation 208, a determination ofwhether a penalty for an incorrect letter should be assessed may bemade. For example, in some embodiments, one or more rules for thecrossword puzzle may specify that a player should be penalized for anincorrectly entered letter. If a penalty should be assessed, in anoperation 210, a penalty may be applied to the player. A penalty mayinclude, for example, frozen gameplay for a predefined time whilecontinuing to deduct time from a time limit, deduction of time from thetime limit, deduction of a quantity of one or more virtual assets,and/or other penalties. Upon application of the penalty, or if there isno penalty for an incorrect letter, processing may return to operation201, where a letter input is awaited.

Returning to operation 206, if the input letter in relation to the spaceis correct, a determination of whether the letter completes a correctword (e.g., is the last letter of a correct word) is made. If the letterdoes not complete a correct word (e.g., is correct but is not the lastletter of the correct word), processing may return to operation 201,where a letter input is awaited. If the letter does complete a correctword, in an operation 214, a determination of whether a bonus should bereceived may be determined. For example, a bonus may be received whenone or more of the spaces related to the correct word are associatedwith a bonus. The bonus may be represented, for example, as a diamond orother virtual asset that is displayed within or associated with a space.

If a special bonus should be awarded, in an operation 216, a bonus maybe awarded to a player (e.g., credited into an account of the player).Processing may proceed to an operation 218, where a score for the playermay be updated based on the completed word. For example, a number (e.g.,one) of points may be awarded for each letter of the word that wascorrectly input to the player's overall score.

In an operation 220, a determination of whether the crossword puzzle iscomplete may be made. If the crossword puzzle is not complete,processing may return to an operation 201, where a letter input may beawaited. If the crossword puzzle is complete, a determination of whetherad-free play is enabled in an operation 222. For example, the player mayhave paid for or otherwise is eligible for ad-free play. If ad-free playis not enabled, an advertisement may be displayed in an operation 222.In some embodiments, whether the advertisement is configured as a video,audio, text, and/or other format, the advertisement may be displayed fora predetermined time. After the predetermined time or if ad-free play isenabled, processing may proceed to an operation 226, where a total scorefor the player and bonus awards may be determined and awarded to theplayer. The total score may be based on individual scores awarded foreach correct word, a time required to complete the crossword puzzle(e.g., less time results in more points), a time remaining on a timelimit (e.g., more time remaining results in more points), a number ofpenalties given during gameplay, and/or other factors.

FIG. 3 illustrates a process of providing gameplay of crossword gamesand other word-based games, according to an aspect of the invention. Inan operation 301, processing may listen for a letter input. In anoperation 302, a letter input may be received in relation to a space ona crossword puzzle. For example, a player may input a letter into anonline crossword puzzle space. In an operation 304, a determination ofwhether the space for which the letter input was received is part of acorrectly entered word may be made. If the space is part of a correctlyentered word, processing may return to an operation 301, where a letterinput is awaited. For example, if the player attempts to add a letter toan already correctly solved word, the letter input may be ignored. Onthe other hand, if the space is not part of a correctly entered word, inan operation 306, a determination of whether the letter is correct maybe made. For example, a solution to the puzzle having an association ofcorrect letters and spaces may be consulted to determine whether theletter input at the space matches the correct letter for the space.

If the letter is not correct, in an operation 308, a consecutiveincorrect letter counter is incremented. In an operation 310, adetermination of whether the consecutive incorrect letter counter meetsor exceeds a predefined and configurable threshold is made. For example,the threshold may be set at three such that three consecutivelyincorrect letters meets or exceeds the threshold. In the threshold hasbeen met or exceeded, in an operation 312, gameplay may be frozen whilea timer is continued as a penalty. Alternatively or additionally, otherpenalties may be applied. When gameplay is frozen or if the thresholdhas not been met, processing may return to an operation 301, where aletter input is awaited.

Returning to operation 306, if the input letter in relation to the spaceis correct, the consecutive incorrect letter counter may be reset tozero in an operation 313. In an operation 314, a determination ofwhether the letter completes a correct word (e.g., is the last letter ofa correct word) is made. If the letter does not complete a correct word(e.g., is correct but is not the last letter of the correct word),processing may return to operation 301, where a letter input is awaited.If the letter does complete a correct word, in an operation 316, adetermination of whether a bonus should be received may be determined.For example, a bonus may be received when one or more of the spacesrelated to the correct word are associated with a bonus. The bonus maybe represented, for example, as a diamond or other virtual asset that isdisplayed within or associated with a space.

If a bonus should be awarded, in an operation 318, a bonus may beawarded to a player (e.g., credited into an account of the player).Processing may proceed to an operation 320, where a score for the playermay be updated based on the completed word. In an operation 322, adetermination of whether the crossword puzzle is complete is made. Ifthe crossword puzzle is complete, in an operation 324, a winner may bedetermined based on total scores achieved during gameplay. If thecrossword puzzle is not yet complete, a control may be transferred to anopposing player or team in an operation 326. Although described as aturn-based process, various operations of process 300 may be used in arace style of gameplay.

Although the foregoing processes 200 and 300 have been described interms of processing after each letter input is received, similarprocesses may perform processing after each word input is received suchas when a player presses a “submit” or similar input after a word hasbeen entered. Also, processes 200 and 300 may be used for more than oneplayer (e.g., team play). In embodiments where processes 200 and/or 300are subject to time limits (either based on a game time limit thatlimits a total time to finish a game or turn time limit that limits anamount time that may be used in a turn before a player's turn is over)and/or where time is otherwise a factor in scoring, when the time limitexpires, processes 200 and/or 300 may be interrupted or terminated basedon time expiring.

FIG. 4 illustrates a process 400 of providing a sponsored word-basedgame, according to an aspect of the invention. In an operation 402, asponsored word-based game may be presented for gameplay. Variousarchitectures for presenting the sponsored word-based game may be used.For example, a server may host an online gaming session with a client, acomputing device may be configured with a standalone application thatpresents the branded, word-based game in a local gameplay session,and/or other architectures may be used to present the sponsoredword-based game may be used. The sponsored word-based game may be playedin one or more of the word-based gameplay modes of operation describedherein.

In an operation 404, the sponsored word-based game may be processed forgameplay. For example, operation 404 may include one or more operationsdescribed with respect to process 200 and/or 300. In an operation 406, acompleted or at least partially completed sponsored word-based game maybe received. For example, one or more players and/or teams may have atleast partially solved the sponsored word-based game.

In an operation 408, one or more sweepstakes entries may be generatedfor the one or more players and/or teams based on the at least partiallycompleted sponsored word-based game. A number of the sweepstakes entriesthat is awarded may be based on various sweepstake entry award factorssuch as, for example, a time left remaining on a game clock that countsdown from a time limit, a score, an amount of time used to at leastpartially complete the word-based game, whether one or more bonuses werereceived (e.g., whether letters were placed on tiles associated withdiamonds and/or other virtual assets), and/or other factors. Forexample, better gameplay performance may result in an award of moresweepstakes entries.

In an operation 410, the one or more sweepstakes entries may be awardedto the one or more players and/or teams. For example, an accountassociated with the one or more players and/or teams may be associatedwith the one or more sweepstakes entries.

In an operation 412, an indication of whether the one or moresweepstakes entries won the sweepstakes may be obtained. In an operation414, the indication may be communicated to the one or more playersand/or teams.

FIG. 5 illustrates a process 500 of facilitating invitations to playword-based games, according to an aspect of the invention. In anoperation 502, an invitation request may be received from one or morefirst players. In some embodiments, the invitation request may includevarious invitation parameters that specify aspects of the word-basedgame to be played. For example, the invitation parameters may include adifficulty level parameter that specifies a level of difficult of theword-based game to be played, a game time limit parameter that specifieswhether and/or how long a time limit should be used that limits a game,a turn time limit parameter that specifies whether and/or how long atime limit should be used that limits a turn (if turn-based is used), aturn-type parameter that specifies whether turn-based play should beused, and/or other invitation parameters.

In some embodiments, the invitation request may be directed toparticular one or more players. In other embodiments, the invitationrequest may be directed to any one or more players and/or may include arequest for the system to find appropriate one or more players. Forexample, the system may find an appropriate player based oncharacteristics common to the one more first players and prospectiveplayers such as, for example, player skill levels, interests, etc. Insome embodiments, the system may find an appropriate player based onsocial media contacts who are currently online or playing a game.

In an operation 504, an invitation may be communicated to one or moresecond players that were identified in the request and/or identified bythe system. In an operation 504, a determination of whether thechallenge was accepted may be made. If the invitation is not accepted,the one or more first players may be notified of the declination in anoperation 507. On the other hand, if the challenge is accepted, a newword-based game session may be generated in an operation 508.

In an operation 510, the word-based game session may be processed suchas by performing one or more operations of process 200, process 300,and/or other process. In an operation 512, a determination of whetherthe word-based game has been completed may be made. If the word-basedgame has not been completed, a determination of whether a player hasresigned or otherwise left the word-based game session may be made in anoperation 514. If the player has not resigned or left, a determinationof whether game time limit has been reached may be made in an operation516. If the game time limit has not been reached, processing may returnto operation 510, where the word-based game session is processed.

If the word-based game is complete, a player has resigned or left, or ifthe game time limit has been reached, a winner may be determined in anoperation 518. In an operation 520, in some embodiments, a penalty suchas a decrease in skill level may be imposed upon the losing one or moreplayers. In an operation 522, a determination of whether a new game isdesired may be determined. For example, the one or more first playersand/or the one or more second players may be asked whether a new game isdesired. If a new game is desired, processing may return to operation508, where a new game session may be generated. If a new game is notdesired, processing may terminate or wait for a new invitation requestin an operation 524.

Referring to FIGS. 6-11, the screenshots of interfaces 600-1100 are forillustrative purposes only. Various components may be added, deleted,moved, or otherwise changed so that the configuration, appearance,and/or content of the screenshots may be different than as illustratedin the figures. Accordingly, the graphical user interface objects asillustrated (and described in greater detail below) are exemplary bynature and, as such, should not be viewed as limiting. The variousinterfaces may be generated and/or communicated from one or morecomponents of system 100 such as user interface module 119.

In some embodiments, the various interfaces 600-1100 may share in commonat least some components (whether illustrated explicitly or not). Whencomponent numbers are explicitly displayed in different figures, thedescription of those component numbers are applicable to the differentfigures.

In some embodiments, a navigation component 601 may be configured toprovide navigation between different interfaces and/or functions.Navigation component 601 may link to different interfaces 600-1100,profile information, communication functions, different word-basedgames, and/or other interfaces or functions.

Display portions 602, 604, 606, 608, 610 and/or other display portionsmay display various information related to gameplay. For example,display portion 602 may display remaining energy of the player, displayportion 604 may display a number of diamonds the player possesses,display portion 606 may display different word-based games that may beplayed, display portion 608 may display a player skill level, displayportion 610 may display a number of tokens that the player possesses,and/or other display portions may display other information related togameplay. In some embodiments, display portions 602, 604, 606, 608, 610and/or other display portions include a link to functions related to thedisplay portions such as, for example, links to purchase or obtainvirtual assets, play different word-based games, and/or other relatedfunctions.

FIG. 6 illustrates a screenshot of a bonus screen interface 600,according to an aspect of the invention. In some embodiments, bonusscreen interface 600 may be displayed when a player logs onto thesystem. Bonus screen interface 600 may display a progressive bonus thatprogressively increases a number of bonus items that are awarded basedon a number of consecutive visits 620 (illustrated as consecutive visits620A, 620B, . . . , 620N) to the system. Consecutive visits 620 may bemeasured by a time increment such as a number of days that the playerhas consecutively performed an action. The action may include, forexample, logged onto the system, played a game, completed a game,completed a word, made a purchase, viewed an advertisement, and/or otheraction by the player. As the number of consecutive days that the playerhas logged onto the system increases, for example, the progressive bonusmay increase.

Consecutive visits 620 may be associated with one or more correspondingbonus items 612, 614, 616. Bonus items 612, 614, 616 may includedifferent types of bonus items such that the progressive bonus caninclude a combination of different types of bonus items. In this manner,the number of types of bonus items that are awarded in relation toconsecutive visits 620 may be increased. Different quantities ofindividual bonus items 612, 614, 616 may be associated with consecutivevisits 620. In this manner, the quantity of individual bonus items 612,614, 616 that are awarded in relation to consecutive visits may beincreased.

In a non-limiting example, a player that has logged onto the system on afirst day may be awarded a progressive bonus that includes a bonus itemsuch as two bonus daily energy. If the player logs onto the system on asecond consecutive day, the progressive bonus may include three dailyenergies. If the player logs onto the system on a third consecutive day,the progressive bonus may include four daily energies and one diamond.If the player logs onto the system on a fourth consecutive day, theprogressive bonus may include five daily energy and five diamonds. Ifthe player logs onto the system on a fifth consecutive day, theprogressive bonus may include five daily energies and 25 diamonds. Theprogressive bonus may be subsequently increased (in terms of number ofdifferent bonus items and/or quantities of individual bonus items) asconsecutive logons increase.

FIG. 7 illustrates a screenshot of a sweepstakes splash interface 700,according to an aspect of the invention. Sweepstakes splash interface700 may include a sweepstakes message display portion 711 that includescontent such as video, audio, text, and/or other content that invitesthe player to solve a puzzle for one or more sweepstakes entries to winsweepstakes prize. Sweepstakes message display portion 711 may include asubmit input 712 that causes a sweepstakes puzzle to be displayed forgameplay. Upon solving the sweepstakes puzzle, the player may be awardedthe one or more sweepstakes entries. In some embodiments, performanceduring gameplay may increase and/or decrease the number of sweepstakesentries awarded. For example, the number of sweepstakes entries awardedmay depend upon a gameplay metric such as a number of incorrectattempts, a time needed to complete the puzzle, and/or other gameplaymetric.

In some embodiments, sweepstakes splash interface 700 may include a chatinterface 714 that allows the player to chat with other players before,during, and/or after gameplay. In some embodiments, sweepstakes splashinterface 700 may include an invitation display portion 720, which mayinclude various inputs for inviting other players to help solve or playagainst the player. For example, challenge input 721 may when selectedmay challenge other player(s) to play the sweepstakes puzzle. Team playinput 722 may invite other player(s) to play in collaboration with oneanother. In some embodiments, when played in collaboration with otherplayers, the sweepstakes entries may be divided amongst the team. Whenchallenging another player, the sweepstakes entries may be awarded toonly the winning player(s), which may include adding the losingplayer(s) possible sweepstakes entries to the sweepstakes entriesawarded to winning player(s).

In some embodiments, invite contact portion 726 (illustrated as invitecontact portion 726A, 726B, . . . , 726N) may include an input portionthat may be used to invite a contact or friend of the player. Inviteother player portion 728 (illustrated as invite other player portions728A, 728B, . . . , 728N) may include an input portion that may be usedto invite players other than contacts or friends of the player. Forexample, the system may select player(s) by various selection methodssuch as, for example, random selection, selection based on similarplayer skill levels, and/or other selection method.

FIG. 8 illustrates a screenshot of an online shop interface 800,according to an aspect of the invention. Online shop interface 800 mayoffer for sale various items in exchange for real currency, virtualassets, and/or value. The various items for sale may include ad-freeplay, virtual assets, and/or other items for sale. Selection of onlineshop components 802 (illustrated as items for sale 802A, 802B, . . . ,802N) may individual link to the different items for sale. In someembodiments, the items for sale may be variably priced. For example, asillustrated, different offers 820 (illustrated as offers 820A, 820B, . .. , 820N) may sell different quantities of ad-free play time in exchangefor one or more different costs 812, 814. For example, offer 820A mayinclude 30 days of ad-free play for 1000 diamonds. Offer 820B mayinclude 90 days of ad-free play for a first amount of real currency.Offer 820N may include one year of ad-free play for a second amount ofreal currency greater than the first amount of currency. Other offersmay offer different amounts of ad-free play for a combination of realcurrency, virtual assets, and/or other value.

FIG. 9 illustrates a screenshot of a crossword puzzle gameplay interface900, according to an aspect of the invention. In some embodiments,crossword puzzle gameplay interface 900 may display an interface forsingle or collaborative gameplay. In some embodiments, crossword puzzlegameplay interface 900 may facilitate sponsored word-based games, whichmay include a sponsored sweepstakes game.

Puzzle board 902 may include various input spaces configured to receiveletter inputs in a crossword puzzle format, where at least some spacesof the puzzle board are filler spaces that are not playable (illustratedas darkened boxes). The input spaces may be mapped to a puzzle solutionsuch that letter input at an input space may be checked to determinewhether the letter input is correct.

In some embodiments, one or more input spaces may be associated with andbe displayed in relation to a bonus icon 901. In some embodiments, whena player inputs a correct letter in an input space associated with bonusicon 901, the player may be awarded a bonus icon award. The bonus iconaward may include one or more virtual assets, a sponsored item, adiscount off a sponsored item, one or more sweepstakes entries to win asponsored item, additional time on time remaining for a turn, additionaltime remaining for a game, and/or other award. The bonus icon 901 mayinclude an image or likeness of the bonus icon award to be won. Forexample, as illustrated, bonus icon 901 is configured as a diamond,although other images that correspond to the bonus icon award may beused.

In some embodiments, crossword puzzle gameplay interface 900 may includea time component 904. Time component 904 may include a time indicatorsuch as a time remaining for a turn indicator, a time remaining for agame indicator, a time counter that counts an elapsed time for a turn, atime counter that counts an elapsed time for a game, and/or other timeindicator.

In some embodiments, crossword puzzle gameplay interface 900 may includea help component 910 that may include one or more help requests 912(illustrated as help requests 912A, 912B, . . . , 912N). Help requests912 may elicit help from others such as contacts, from the system in theform of hints, and/or other help requests. Individual help requests 912may be limited to one or more uses.

In some embodiments, help requests 912 may include an ask a friendrequest that causes the system to contact another player, contact,and/or other user to help the player solve one or more letters, words,etc. In some embodiments, another player may respond to the help requestby logging onto the system, joining the gameplay session in progress anddirectly enter the letters, words, etc., for which help is requested. Insome embodiments, the system facilitates communication between the otheruser and the player to communicate letters, words, etc., suggested bythe other user. The player may reject or otherwise choose not to usesome or all of the letters, words, etc., suggested by the other user.

In some embodiments, help requests 912 may include anadvertisement-based hint, where the system may display an advertisementin exchange for a reveal hint such as revealing one or more correctletters. The revealed letters may be selected based on various revealmethods such as being randomly revealed, being requested by the user tobe revealed, and/or other reveal methods.

In some embodiments, help requests 912 may include a purchased hint,where the system provide a reveal hint in exchange for one or morevirtual assets, real currency, and/or other value. In some embodiments,paying a greater quantity of virtual asset, real currency, and/or othervalue may cause the system to provide a greater reveal hint (e.g., moreletters, words, etc., revealed).

In some embodiments, help requests 912 may include a show wrong letterhint where the system may show incorrectly entered letters, words, etc.,in exchange for one or more virtual assets, real currency, and/or othervalue. In some embodiments, paying a greater quantity of virtual asset,real currency, and/or other value may cause the system to provide agreater show wrong letter hint (e.g., more incorrect letters, words,etc., revealed).

In some embodiments, crossword puzzle gameplay interface 900 may includeacross section 920 and down section 930. Across section 920 may includeclues 922 (illustrated as clues 922A, 922B, . . . , 922N) for horizontalwords on puzzle board 902. Down section 930 may include clues 932(illustrated as clues 932A, 932B, . . . , 932N) for vertical words onpuzzle board 902.

In some embodiments, crossword puzzle gameplay interface 900 may includesponsored content 940, which may include promotional materials such asadvertisements, coupons, and/or other promotional materials. Sponsoredcontent 940 may correspond with puzzle board 902. For example, in asponsored game that includes entries for sweepstakes to win a sponsoredprize, sponsored content may include an advertisement for the sponsoredprize. In some embodiments, puzzle board 902 may incorporate one or morewords related to the sponsor and/or the sponsored prize that may be won.

Although illustrated as a conventional crossword puzzle, puzzle board902 and other puzzle boards illustrated in other figures may beconfigured to have other appearances such as, for example, havingdifferently shaped input spaces, and/or other changes to the appearanceof the puzzle board.

FIG. 10 illustrates a screenshot of a head-to-head crossword puzzlegameplay interface 1000, according to an aspect of the invention.Head-to-head crossword puzzle gameplay interface 1000 may substantiallyinclude similar components as crossword puzzle gameplay interface 900.Head-to-head crossword puzzle gameplay interface 1000 may include aresign component 1006, which may be used by a player to resign the gameand/or turn. Puzzle board 1002 may be used to receive letter inputs fromone or more competing players in a turn-based architecture, asimultaneous play architecture (where two or more players on the same ordifferent teams may simultaneously input letters), and/or otherarchitecture. Scoreboard 1010 may include a scoreboard for two or moreplayers/teams of players 1012-1015.

FIG. 11 illustrates a screenshot of a word search puzzle gameplayinterface 1100, according to an aspect of the invention. Word searchpuzzle gameplay interface 1100 may include features similar to crosswordpuzzle gameplay interface 900 and head-to-head crossword puzzle gameplayinterface 1000, but configured to facilitate gameplay of a word searchpuzzle board 1102. In some embodiments, words section 1120 may includeclues 1122 (illustrated as clues 1122A, 1122B, . . . , 1122N). Clues1122 may include actual words to be found in puzzle board 1102 and/orhints to actual words to be found in puzzle board 1102.

Other embodiments, uses and advantages of the invention will be apparentto those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification andpractice of the invention disclosed herein. The specification should beconsidered exemplary only, and the scope of the invention is accordinglyintended to be limited only by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for providing gameplay of brandedword-based puzzles comprising crossword puzzles or word search puzzles,the system comprising: one or more processors configured to execute oneor more computer program modules, the one or more computer programmodules comprising: a gameplay module configured to: generate a custompuzzle having a predefined solution that includes one or more words tobe solved or found, wherein the one or more words to be solved or foundare related to a particular brand of a sponsor of the custom puzzle;cause the custom puzzle to be communicated for gameplay; receive aninput of at least one letter associated with an attempt to solve thecustom puzzle; compare the input with the predefined solution; determinethat the custom puzzle has been at least partially solved based on thecomparison; cause a branded item or one or more sweepstakes entries towin the branded item to be provided based on the determination that thecustom puzzle has been at least partially solved; and an accountingmodule configured to: facilitate receipt of sponsored funds from thesponsor of the custom puzzle based on the custom puzzle beingcommunicated for gameplay.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein at leastone input space of the custom puzzle is associated with an icon of avirtual asset or the branded item, wherein the gameplay module isconfigured to cause the virtual asset or one or more sweepstakes entriesto be awarded and the at least one input space when input with a correctletter causes the virtual asset, the branded item, or additionalsweepstakes entries to be provided.
 3. The system of claim 1, whereinthe branded item comprises a branded product, a branded service, or abranded product and a branded service.
 4. The system of claim 1, whereinthe gameplay module is further configured to cause the one or moresweepstakes entries to be provided, and wherein the accounting module isconfigured to receive one or more first type of virtual assets inexchange for one or more other sweepstakes entries.
 5. The system ofclaim 4, wherein the one or more first type of virtual assets is oneamong a plurality of different types of virtual assets that may be usedin relation to the custom puzzle, wherein only the first type of virtualassets may be used to obtain the one or more other sweepstakes entries.6. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a communication moduleconfigured to facilitate in-game communication between different users.7. The system of claim 1, wherein the gameplay module is furtherconfigured to: impose a time limit within which the custom puzzle mustbe completely solved for the branded item or the one or more sweepstakesentries to win the branded item to be provided.
 8. The system of claim1, further comprising: a custom puzzle module configured to: obtain agame definition that specifies the one or more words, wherein the custompuzzle is generated by the gameplay module based on the game definition.9. The system of claim 8, wherein the game definition further comprisesan indication of an orientation of the one or more words on the custompuzzle, and wherein the gameplay module is further configured to:arrange the one or more words on the custom puzzle based on theindication of the orientation of the one or more words.
 10. The systemof claim 9, wherein the custom puzzle comprises a custom crosswordpuzzle, and wherein the orientation of the one or more words comprises ahorizontal orientation or a vertical orientation.
 11. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the custom puzzle comprises a custom word searchpuzzle, and wherein the orientation of the one or more words comprisesat least one of a horizontal orientation, a vertical orientation, abackward orientation, a forward orientation, or an angled orientation.12. The system of claim 8, wherein the game definition further comprisesan indication of a location of the one or more words on the custompuzzle, and wherein the gameplay module is further configured to:position the one or more words on the custom puzzle based on theindication of the location of the one or more words.
 13. The system ofclaim 8, wherein the game definition further comprises a clue for theone or more words on the custom puzzle, and wherein the gameplay moduleis further configured to: provide the clue along with the custom puzzle.14. The system of claim 8, wherein the game definition further comprisesan indication of a level of difficulty of the custom puzzle, and whereinthe gameplay module is further configured to: determine a level of skillfor a player of the custom puzzle based on the level of difficulty ofthe custom puzzle.
 15. The system of claim 8, wherein the custom puzzlemodule is configured to obtain the game definition from the sponsor. 16.The system of claim 1, wherein the custom puzzle comprises a customcrossword puzzle.
 17. The system of claim 1, wherein the custom puzzlecomprises a custom word search puzzle.
 18. A method for providinggameplay of word-based puzzles comprising crossword puzzles or wordsearch puzzles, the method being implemented in a computer that includesone or more processors programmed by one or more computer programmodules, the method comprising: generating, by a gameplay module, acustom puzzle having a predefined solution that includes one or morewords to be solved or found, the one or more words to be solved or foundbeing related to a particular brand of a sponsor of the custom puzzle;causing, by the gameplay module, the custom puzzle to be communicatedfor gameplay; receiving, by the gameplay module, an input of at leastone letter associated with an attempt to solve the custom puzzle;comparing, by the gameplay module, the input with the predefinedsolution; determining, by the gameplay module, that the customword-based game has been at least partially solved based on thecomparison; causing, by the gameplay module, a virtual asset, a brandeditem, or one or more sweepstakes entries to win the virtual asset or thebranded item to be provided based on the determination that the custompuzzle has been at least partially solved; and facilitating, by anaccounting module, receipt of sponsored funds from the sponsor of thecustom puzzle based on the custom puzzle being communicated forgameplay.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein at least one input spaceof the custom puzzle is associated with an icon of the virtual asset orthe branded item, wherein the gameplay module is configured to cause thevirtual asset, the branded item, or the one or more sweepstakes entriesto be provided and the at least one input space when input with acorrect letter causes the virtual asset, the branded item, or additionalsweepstakes entries to be provided.
 20. The method of claim 18, whereinthe branded item comprises a branded product, a branded service, or abranded product and a branded service.
 21. The method of claim 18, themethod further comprising: causing, by the gameplay module, the one ormore sweepstakes entries to be provided, and wherein the accountingmodule is configured to receive one or more first type of virtual assetsin exchange for one or more other sweepstakes entries.
 22. The method ofclaim 21, wherein the one or more first type of virtual assets is oneamong a plurality of different types of virtual assets that may be usedin relation to the custom puzzle, wherein only the first type of virtualassets may be used to obtain the one or more other sweepstakes entries.23. The method of claim 18, the method further comprising: facilitating,by a communication module, in-game communication between differentusers.
 24. The method of claim 18, the method further comprising:imposing, by the gameplay module, a time limit within which the custompuzzle must be completely solved for the branded item or the one or moresweepstakes entries to win the branded item to be awarded.
 25. A systemfor providing gameplay of branded word-based puzzles comprisingcrossword puzzles or word search puzzles, the system comprising: one ormore processors configured to execute one or more computer programmodules, the one or more computer program modules comprising: a custompuzzle module configured to: obtain a custom puzzle that includes one ormore words to be solved or found that are related to a particular brandof a sponsor of the custom puzzle; a gameplay module configured to:generate the custom puzzle; cause the custom puzzle to be communicatedfor gameplay; determine that the custom puzzle has been at leastpartially solved; cause a branded item or one or more sweepstakesentries to win the branded item to be provided based on thedetermination that the custom puzzle has been at least partially solved,wherein at least one input space of the custom puzzle is associated withan icon of a virtual asset or the branded item, wherein the gameplaymodule is configured to cause the virtual asset or one or moresweepstakes entries to be provided and the at least one input space wheninput with a correct letter causes the virtual asset, the branded item,or additional sweepstakes entries to be provided; and an accountingmodule configured to: facilitate receipt of sponsored funds from thesponsor of the custom puzzle based on the custom puzzle beingcommunicated for gameplay.
 26. The system of claim 25, furthercomprising: a custom puzzle module configured to: obtain a gamedefinition that specifies the one or more words, wherein the custompuzzle is generated by the gameplay module based on the game definition.27. The system of claim 25, further comprising: a custom puzzle moduleconfigured to: obtain at least some of the one or more words from thesponsor.
 28. A method for providing gameplay of branded word-basedpuzzles comprising crossword puzzles or word search puzzles, the methodbeing implemented in a computer that includes one or more processorsprogrammed by one or more computer program modules, the methodcomprising: obtaining, by a custom puzzle module, a custom puzzle thatincludes one or more words to be solved or found that are related to aparticular brand of a sponsor of the custom puzzle; generating, by agameplay module, the custom puzzle; causing, by the gameplay module, thecustom puzzle to be communicated for gameplay; determining, by thegameplay module, that the custom puzzle has been at least partiallysolved; causing, by the gameplay module, a branded item or one or moresweepstakes entries to win the branded item to be provided based on thedetermination that the custom puzzle has been at least partially solved,wherein at least one input space of the custom puzzle is associated withan icon of a virtual asset or the branded item, wherein the gameplaymodule is configured to cause the virtual asset or one or moresweepstakes entries to be provided and the at least one input space wheninput with a correct letter causes the virtual asset, the branded item,or additional sweepstakes entries to be provided; and facilitating, byan accounting module, receipt of sponsored funds from the sponsor of thecustom puzzle based on the custom puzzle being communicated forgameplay.
 29. The method of claim 28, the method further comprising:obtaining, by a custom puzzle module, a game definition that specifiesthe one or more words, wherein the custom puzzle is generated by thegameplay module based on the game definition.
 30. The method of claim28, the method further comprising: obtaining, by the custom puzzlemodule, at least some of the one or more words from the sponsor.